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State postpones Luverne's Hwy 75 rebuild to 2028

Subhead
MnDOT officials site funding, other road priorities as reason for delayed roadwork in Luverne
By
Mavis Fodness

MnDOT officials outlined a 10-year road improvement plan that postpones reconstruction of Highway 75 from Luverne to Trosky until 2028.
The project originally was planned for 2025.
The addition of three years is due to funding and other state highways receiving a higher priority in the 13-county district.
“We are trying to bring all pavements into better condition,” said District 7 Engineer Greg Ous during the July 21 Rock County Board meeting.
“We are on the right track with the decisions that we have made and that we are making.”
Ous met with commissioners via Zoom for the district’s annual community outreach programming.
When pressed for answers, Ous said the Rock County project is delayed due to the expansion of the two-lane Highway 14 from Nicollet to New Ulm to a four-lane roadway. The cost is estimated at $70 million. MnDOT is searching for funding to complete the project.
Commissioners questioned why a change of three years to last year’s Highway 75 planning.
“It seems like we are in the wrong part of the state,” said Commissioner Greg Burger.
District 7 Planner Ronda Allis said previous cost overruns were normally covered by the central office, but costs of future projects can’t be as flexible.
“We were told we had to come in at or preferably below our (cost) targets,” she said.
Any savings are earmarked for flexible projects that can be added into a construction season when funds allow.
However, Allis indicated that Highway 75 north is not one of those projects.
Improvements to the in-town section of Highway 75 section from Main Street to the north are still slated for 2025 with an increased budget from $3.5 million to $5 million. The scope of the reconstruction will take place this fall.
Ous said an expected drop of $400 million in fuel and vehicle registration taxes due to people traveling less during the pandemic will negatively affect funding in the district.
As a result, all roadways in District 7 were re-examined and pavement experts determined Highway 75 north continues to be in fair condition while other roadways have further deteriorated and require immediate attention.
Oldre questioned why projects seem to “leapfrog” back years at a time instead of just shifting a year.
“There is a lot of frustration with expanding a network prior to fixing what you’ve got,” Oldre said.
Highway 75 south from Luverne to the Iowa state line remains on the list for reconstruction in 2027.
Ous said he would challenge pavement engineers who examined both roadways and determine which roadway is in need of reconstruction first.
“We leave with the fact that we are watching it and it is on our radar,” Ous said.
As a result, the 10-year plan could change again, Allis indicated in closing.
 
South Hwy. 75 flooding concerns addressed
Ous said he is working with County Engineer Mark Sehr to alleviate flooding near the corner of South Highway 75 and 101st Street in Luverne Township near the Rock Veterinary Center.
County Administrator Kyle Oldre explained that the last rain event caused water to rise over the west side of the roadway to the centerline.
“Anything we can do to get water away will be beneficial,” Oldre said.
MnDOT and county crews will examine the concrete culvert under Highway 75 in the area along with re-evaluating the current ditch elevation.
“We are working to come up with some plans to help with that drainage,” Ous said.
A solution is expected this fall.

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